The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-06-21
An Inquiry as to the Whereabouts of the
Colors Captured by Naval Heroes.
Secretary Whitney Hasn't any Idea as to
Their Location. but Hell Very Certain He
Has Not Ordered Them Sent South.
Mr.. Holman COnfesses that He Is Trou-
bled About Indiana's Labor Vote.
Rumor that an Attempt Will Be Made to Split
the Grand Army of the Republic-Secre-
tary Whitney's Civil-Service Reform.
ANOTHER CHAPTER ON FLAGS.

ANOTHER CHAPTER ON FLAGS.
Inquiry as the Whereabouts of the CoIers
Captured by the Union Navy.
Special to the Indianapolis Journal.
WASHINGTON, June 2O.-Popular attention
having been directed to the captured flags in the
custody of the War Department there has been
some inquiry concerning the disposal OF the flags
captured during the Rebellion by the United
States navy. Tho proposed return of the BAN
ners captured in the field suggested a return OF
those taken on the water, and Secretary Whit
ney was cal,sd upon to-day for some informa-
tion as to their Whereabouts. The Democrats
Secretary of the Navy was rather nonplussed,
aud, after considering awhile, he confessed that
he knew nothing about them. He added. how
ever, with a smile, that one thing was certain
that he had given no order for their return to
their former owners. Tho question asked the
Secretary was then put in succession to each Of
the bureau officials of the Navy Department un-
til the startling fact was developed that no one
on duty then present had the slightest idea Of
their whereabouts. 1t was suggested by the
chief clerk that the rebel naval flags
might be in L. Naval Academy at Annapolis,
but Professor Soley, of the Naval Department.,
written a history of the Naval Academy, stated
positively that they were not at Annapolis. The
flags there, he stated, were those captured dur
ing the revolution and the of 1872. but to
his knowledge there were no rebel colors This
is strange discovery, and a most embarrassing
one for all concerned. and when the seriousness
of the situation was finally realized the only
idea that occurred to the officials was that prob
o. ho Ropn
might know where the flags were stored. The
law of 1914 for the preservation and exhibition
of captured flags is the same for the Navy az
for the War Department, and there is consider
able CONSERVATION in official circles the new
complication given to the affair by the inquiries
set on foot to-day.
Severe Criticism by Ben Butler.
Boston Special
One hundred and fifty friends OF Gen. B. F.
Butler gathered about the tables at the Quincy
House this afternoon at the first banquet of the
Butler Club. After the dinner Noah A. Plymp-
ton presidento of the club said that most of those
present had marched under his political banner,
aud were s.Butler men," He paid high tribute
to the General
General Butler in reply said: 81 have the sat
isfaction of remembering that you have ap-
proved OF what have tried to do in the past
An event has happened within the past few days
of greater moment and significance to the coun-
try than any since 1865 l refer to the at
tempt to take away from the archives
of the government the evidence of the
victories of soldiers in arms. I have
looked carefully to the reasons for which
it was attempted. Why were the flags captured
by our brave soldiers to be given up to anybody
And find it is agreed there is precedent for
it, except that the authorities of some States of
the North had asked that their flags might be res
turned to them; and see no reason why that
should be done. but it affords no precedent foi
the action that was attempted to be taken. ]
find no trace of law in the Constitution stat
ute books of our country to justify It The
President of the United States has no moro
right to part with single dollar of United
States property in time OF peace without author.
ity of Congress than either of US here at thig
table And had supposed that we never coul<
have President and Cabinet that would have "a
look in book TO find that out. [Applause and
cries of HCorrect!nl
II see statement made that this act war
authorized-no, use the wrong word-unani-
mousy recommended Well. with one exception
OF Cabinet officer who fought in the war; ]
should have doubt it would have been, ex
cept that the law against it. Now. mark
mo; do not blame the President for doing this
at all. Where could he have gotten the knowl-
edge in his former life to know enough not TO
do Isl [Applause and cries of He never car
ried musket"l 1t was not his fault. but ID
was his misfortune that he did not know any
thing upon this subject. He acted according to
the light he had and he had no Cabinet to give
him any more upon it.
II see Governor Lee says those flags are of
no consequence now. Very well; let them alone
They safe where they are"
The President and His Late Order.
Washington Special
An attempt is being made. and it is pretty
general, to make Endicott and Drum the scape-
goats of the ridiculous occurrence anent the
rebel flags. This is hardly fair to President
Cleveland, whose revocation of the whole pro-
ceedings would seem to implicate him th&
chief offender It is true that General Drum
had been, for several weeks corresponding with
various parties in regard to the matter butt ID
absur to suppose that he would have done so
without the sanction and encouragement of tho
President, as Drum could take action what
ever in the premises independent of the Presi.
dent.
A little gossip from high sources has been FL
tered downward during the last twentyfous
hours, and it is to this effect, that it is untrue
tn at the matter was not thoroughly considered
by the President before he went a-fishing; that
he weighed the subject carefully. and was posi-.
tive in his decision So sure was he that the act
would be popular that he did not ask the advice
of his Cabinet associates at ALL and, without
hearing Secretary Endicotts opinion. expressed
his desire that the suggestion should be mads
operative
That Drum made the original suggestion is no.
where denied. He did so because of constant.
applications for the return of flags from North
ern States and organizations; and to get rid OF
the annoyance he jumped at the conclusion that
it would be good thing to distribute all OF tbs
flags. But the President knew that the respou-
aibiity would rest with him; and as he is knowu
f..1 Il s1nrA anln